June 25, 2023
Sọnde Number 12 for Ordinary Time (Year A)
Readings for Today
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Jesus tell the Twelve Apostles: “Make una no fear anybody. Nothing wey dem hide dey wey dem no go reveal, and no secret dey wey people no go know.” Matthew 10:26
Our Lord talk this word as E dey prepare the Twelve Apostles for the persecution wey go come. Before this passage, Jesus talk say, “But make una beware of people, because dem go hand una over to courts and flog una for their synagogues, and dem go carry una go before governors and kings because of Me, so that una go bear witness before dem and the people wey no know God.” After E don talk plenty more about the persecution wey go come, Jesus give dem sure hope and encouragement for the passage wey dey above.
First of all, Jesus talk directly about one thing wey plenty people dey suffer when dem face any kind persecution: fear. E talk say, “Make una no fear anybody.” Fear fit take over person when the person no get faith say God dey care for am, and e allow anxiety and worry to hold am. When we fit keep our eyes firmly on Christ and push back the attacks wey we dey face for life, we go continue to stand firm for God truth, and lies no go make us draw back.
Jesus still know well say fear fit too much for person to bear. This one dey happen especially when we must endure any kind serious persecution or trial. So E tell the Twelve Apostles one comforting word to help dem get hope. “Nothing wey dem hide dey wey dem no go reveal, and no secret dey wey people no go know.” This word dey point to the end of time, when Jesus go return to earth for the Final Judgment. For that time, every deceitful attack wey people don endure go come out fully for everybody to see. Every virtue, even every hidden virtue, go still come to light. For the end, truth go reign, and God Truth go be the measure wey E go use judge everybody. This one suppose bring plenty comfort to people wey don suffer injustice for life.
Persecution get plenty forms. Truly, persecution wey dem direct against you because of your faith na the worst kind of persecution. But most times, persecution dey come for other forms. Jealousy for another person fit make people gossip about am. To expose another person sins for public na the sin of detraction, and na one form of persecution. To dey show hostility for indirect way, to talk lie to spoil person name, to refuse to talk to person as punishment, and plenty other things na forms of persecution. Any time one person try to harm another person for any way, na persecution be that.
One thing wey people commonly feel like doing when another person don harm dem for any way na to pay the person back with harm. Nothing bad dey for defending ourselves by speaking the truth with love. But too many times, the pain wey we feel dey turn either to fear wey take over us or to attack against the person wey harm us. When we feel this temptation, Jesus words wey dey above fit help us well-well and set us free. For the end, no injustice go pass without attention. God go use His justice and mercy deal with every wrong, and perfect order and truth go fully return and remain forever.
Today, reflect on any struggle wey you get with fear. As you dey do so, reflect on Jesus words again and again. “Make una no fear anybody.” No allow any injustice wey dem do you to control you. Instead, continue to stand firm for the truth, and if some injustice no fit get correction here and now, look forward to the end of time, when everything go come to light according to God mind and justice.
My Lord wey get courage, You endure plenty mockery and harsh treatment, but You no ever allow dem to stop You from Your divine mission of love. Abeg, free me from every fear and give me courage when I face the injustices of life, so that I go trust say You go correct every wrong for the end. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
